In 1994, Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson were both leaving the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Rhoden was already known for his powerful, classically based choreography with the Ailey and other companies. Richardson was a dance star: He's been called a "mesmerizing stage presence" by Dance Magazine. That year, the two decided to put on a dance concert with friends from the ballet and contemporary dance worlds, even some "street" dancers they knew.

The lines for that first performance, at New York's Symphony Space, stretched three city blocks.

Each time a dancer puts foot to stage, he takes his life in his hands. In the case of Complexions, a company with a rage to dance, that's not hyperbole.

Complexions made its Philadelphia debut Saturday night at Dance Affiliates' Annenberg Center concert. With 20 daredevil dancers willing to take any risk to hit their marks, it's a wonder that there were no collisions, and that they were all still standing (and barely panting) at the finale.

Mr. Rhoden's ferocious production was set to a recorded potpourri that included Jimi Hendrix's notoriously strident rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner," and other pieces by Antonio Carlos Scott, Depeche Mode, Astor Piazzolla and Charles Mingus. As one has come to expect of Complexions...

In a dance universe where technical abilities have reached frightening levels, Complexions Contemporary Ballet provides a gasp of hope. The dancers are utterly adept, but humanized by their willingness to dedicate themselves wholly—almost religiously—to the idiosyncratic, relentless pieces that choreographer Dwight Rhoden bestows on them.

For Complexions, diversity is the motivation behind its every dancing move

By Whitney Smith The Indianapolis Star

The latest installment in Clowes Hall's long series of contemporary dance programs through the years will be a globe-trotting, multicultural company with roots in Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. <a href=http://www.indystar.com/articles/0/217881-3590-062.html target=_blank>more</a>

Complexions is ready for new looks....Since the two dancers [Dwight Rhoden, Desmond Richardson] from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater founded Complexions together in 1994, the troupe has made its reputation with Rhoden’s intricate, jazzy, athletic works to music as diverse as Nina Simone songs and Beethoven sonatas. Its devoted following is young and diverse and includes admirers completely unfamiliar with most modern dance.

Complexions unfurls an exquisite frenzyComplexions Contemporary Ballet barreled into the Tsai Center this weekend with one of the most physically gifted troupes to hit Boston in recent memory. Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson founded their company 12 years ago, and the two former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater stars have assembled a dynamite troupe of exquisitely lithe and limber dancers with open hips, whiplash limbs, deeply arched backs, and stylistic panache.

Complexions at the Tsai Center....Complexions Contemporary Ballet seems to have abandoned specifics but intensified the movement’s emotional implications. It’s created a style of virtuosic skill — turning, leaping, high extensions — saturated with the shapes of relentless struggle, desire, attraction, repulsion, and rapture.

Complexions is performing at Meany Hall at the University of Washington as part of the U.W. World Dance Series. Michael Upchurch reviews the performance of Thursday, November 12, 2009 in The Seattle Times.

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